Starting on January 16, 2010, at the pyramids of Giza in Cairo, two adventurous Aussies will point their bicycles south and start pedaling towards Table Mountain in Cape Town, as we take part in the 8th annual Tour d'Afrique, an 11,800 km (7,375 mile) bicycle race/expedition across the world's most exotic and alluring continent, Africa.

When we first heard about the Tour d'Afrique some 5 years ago we decided that this was the type of adventure that ticked all the boxes for us. An opportunity to travel through countries on a continent that has drawn both of our interests and fascination for years. A continent of vast and varied landscapes, exotic cultures, home to amazing wildlife and intriguing people and customs. An adventure from which we would learn, be tested both mentally and physically, but ultimately one from which we would walk away as better people.

For us the Tour d'Afrique is twofold, it's about both the adventure of cycling the continent of Africa from the pyramids of Giza to Table Mountain  on it's southern tip and it is also about giving back to the community at home and abroad.

We wish to take this opportunity to generate funds for 2 charities, the Tour d’Afrique Foundation and the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The Tour d’Afrique Foundation was set up with the inaugural Tour d’Afrique race to give something back to the people and the communities of the areas that the race passes through, and to raise consciousness about bicycles as an alternative and, in many ways, better and more beneficial means of transport.

We also wanted to raise awareness for a cause closer to home. We all have male members in our families, be it fathers, brothers, uncles or cousins any of whom could be at risk. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia receives limited funding from government. It therefore relies on the generosity of corporate partners, individuals and the community to help continue its essential work. These are the reasons we have chosen to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

The race features 96 cycling days or stages, averaging 123 km (77 miles) each. Traveling through 10 countries in all, we will cycle along the Nile past ancient temples, across the rugged biblical landscape of Ethiopia's Simian Mountains, and through game reserves teeming with wildlife. After crossing the Equator in Kenya, we will pedal past legendary Mount Kilimanjaro, to Lake Malawi, Victoria Falls, and along the edges of the magnificent Kalahari and Namib deserts, en route to the finish of our epic journey in Cape Town.

We invite you to drop by from time to time and join us on this amazing journey.

We thank you for your interest and generous support.

Wayne Woodward & Patrick Cantwell

"whether you believe you can, or you can't, you are right"
Henry Ford